title: Effect of three-year consumption of erythritol, xylitol and sorbitol candies on various plaque and salivary caries-related variables.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present paper is to report results from oral biologic studies carried out in connection with a caries study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of whole-mouth saliva and dental plaque were collected from initially 7- to 8-year-old subjects who participated in a 3-year school-based programme investigating the effect of the consumption of polyol-containing candies on caries rates. The subjects were randomized in three cohorts, consumed erythritol, xylitol, or sorbitol candies. The daily polyol consumption from the candies was approximately 7.5 g.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant reduction in dental plaque weight from baseline (p<0.05) occurred in the erythritol group during almost all intervention years while no changes were found in xylitol and sorbitol groups. Usage of polyol candies had no significant or consistent effect on the levels of plaque protein, glucose, glycerol, or calcium, determined yearly in connection with caries examinations. After three years, the plaque of erythritol-receiving subjects contained significantly (p<0.05) lower levels of acetic acid and propionic acid than that of subjects receiving xylitol or sorbitol. Lactic acid levels partly followed the same pattern. The consumption of erythritol was generally associated with significantly (p<0.05) lower counts of salivary and plaque mutans streptococci compared with the other groups. There was no change in salivary Lactobacillus levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-year consumption of erythritol-containing candies by initially 7- to 8-year old children was associated with reduced plaque growth, lower levels of plaque acetic acid and propionic acid, and reduced oral counts of mutans streptococci compared with the consumption of xylitol or sorbitol candies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia. Electronic address: riina.runnel@ut.ee.
authors.forename: Riina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Runnel
authors.forename: Kauko K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
authors.forename: Sisko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Honkala
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olak
authors.forename: Pirkko-Liisa
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nõmmela
authors.forename: Tero
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vahlberg
authors.forename: Eino
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Honkala
authors.forename: Mare
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saag
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002182:Candy; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004896:Erythritol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D005990:Glycerol / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010919:Placebos; D011422:Propionates / Q000032:analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D011422:Propionates; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D019344:Lactic Acid; D013012:Sorbitol; D005947:Glucose; C029658:propionic acid; D005990:Glycerol; D019342:Acetic Acid; D004896:Erythritol; D002118:Calcium; D014993:Xylitol
keywords: Biofilm; Children; Clinical trial; Dental plaque; Saliva; Sugar alcohol